Noise and hiss after ******** factory amp replacement - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Avalnch · 07-28-2011, 06:43 PM

Is anyone experiencing noise after their ******** factory amp replacement?

I did the exact replacement that ******** originally posted. Got their harness kit and a JL Audio XD400/4 amp.

When I have the volume at zero, I hear static. When the stereo turns off, the speakers thud along with the amp turning off (which occurs a fraction of a second after the stereo powers off).

Would an amp power noise filter work?

Would an inline RCA filter work?

Your help is appreciated.

Moriartii · 07-28-2011, 09:27 PM

The thud is "normal" This is because when the car is turned off the amp still has signal to the remote turn on lead. You can live with this or install a 12v relay.

The static makes me think of a ground loop, I am assuming the car is runnnng when this occurs? If so does the static of his pick up when you rev the engine?

Cheers
K

Avalnch · 07-29-2011, 02:23 AM

OK, I can live with the thump.

The static has a base loudness while the car is running and a slight whine that changes pitch with engine rev. I'd like to know which solution is best to eliminate the statis/whine. Filter on the power to the amp (easy to do) or filter on the RCA amp inputs (must remove panels to access amp)?

Thanks.

2SS BUMBLBE · 07-29-2011, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avalnch

OK, I can live with the thump.

The static has a base loudness while the car is running and a slight whine that changes pitch with engine rev. I'd like to know which solution is best to eliminate the statis/whine. Filter on the power to the amp (easy to do) or filter on the RCA amp inputs (must remove panels to access amp)?

Thanks.

Sounds like a ground problem.

Apex Motorsports · 07-29-2011, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2SS BUMBLBE

Sounds like a ground problem.

+1

Iwantone2 · 07-29-2011, 12:21 PM

Question: How much did you turn up the gain settings on the JL?

I know that I had the same problem, but I had my gains turned up quite significantly. I turned the gains down and the static or "hiss", as I liked to call it, went away.

Nvincent4708 · 07-29-2011, 01:06 PM

ground it directly to the battery if you can.. i mean it is in the trunk already haha.

Shu71 · 07-29-2011, 01:13 PM

Make sure your RCA cables are good ones (twisted pair and well insulated), you do not cross the rca cables with the power wires to the amp and that you ground the amp directly to the battery ground as this is the closest and you know it is well grounded instead of to a trunk body panel which may not give the least resistance ground. With the quality that amp should be I'd error on the install as the cause. If you do all the above and you still have a ground loop whine, then take the amp back because it may have internal issues. The power on and off thump can be normal for some amps.

Avalnch · 07-29-2011, 06:05 PM

Thanks Everyone!

I'll have a look at the gain setting. I did play with it, but not a pro and only went by ear to avoid distortion at the higher volume settings.

I'll also try the battery -ve terminal to see if this makes a difference, but there is another ground point in the truck that is also directly connected to the battery.

The RCA cables are good quality, albiet maybe on the long side.

I'm pretty sure I didn't cross the RCA and power cables, but I'd better check.

It's been sooo longgg since I've done this car audio stuff, but it's fun to come back to it. ^_^

Shu71 · 08-14-2011, 05:31 PM

Any update? Did you get the hiss resolved?

mattbatt · 12-20-2011, 07:28 PM

From what I have researched, you need to get rid of the 6v floating ground that is in the head unit when you get a new amp. Get a ground loop isolator.

justa25thTA · 12-20-2011, 08:55 PM

I used the harness and installed the xd400 and had 0 issues. I grounded directly to the negative on the battery.

kiteman · 12-21-2011, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justa25thTA

I used the harness and installed the xd400 and had 0 issues. I grounded directly to the negative on the battery.

what gauge did you use? doesn't the harness also ground it automatically (so you had 2 grounds)?

OP, does sound like a ground problem. i've seen a lot of stereo systems. rca cables can suck in terms of longevity, but as long as they are away from the power cord they will all pretty much provide the same SQ.

also, you can buy test tracks or "find" them on the internet and burn them. they will usually tell you to turn up your gain until you hear high-pitched noise (distortion) and then back off until you just don't hear it anymore. this keeps the gain from clipping any speakers and damaging them. i doubt clipping is the cause for the noises you are hearing though.

07-28-2011, 06:43 PM	#1
Avalnch Drives: Rally Yellow Camaro+Avalanche Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,110	Noise and hiss after **** factory amp replacement Is anyone experiencing noise after their ****** factory amp replacement? I did the exact replacement that **** originally posted. Got their harness kit and a JL Audio XD400/4 amp. When I have the volume at zero, I hear static. When the stereo turns off, the speakers thud along with the amp turning off (which occurs a fraction of a second after the stereo powers off). Would an amp power noise filter work? Would an inline RCA filter work? Your help is appreciated. __________________ Vengeance Kaotik Cam, C.A.I., ARH LT, Pypes Cat Back, ZL1 Shifter+2012LS3VERT bushing, Quantum Brake Ducts, JDP Tow Hook Scorch Yellow Trim Kit, Shark Fin, AAC DRLs+ABLs+SMDs, ZTA Rear Spoiler, R.Y. 1LE Splitter. Pfadt coilovers, camber plates, trailing arms, Pegasus Solid Subframe. Pedders ZL1 barz, radius arm & steering rack bushings. BMR adjustable toe-rods. Hotchkis Max Chassis Brace. ZL1 GMPP Driveline Upgrade. TurnOne P/S pump. CTS-V 6 pistons. 447 HP @ 6180 RPM / 418 TQ @ 5100 RPM**

07-29-2011, 02:23 AM	#3
Avalnch Drives: Rally Yellow Camaro+Avalanche Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,110	OK, I can live with the thump. The static has a base loudness while the car is running and a slight whine that changes pitch with engine rev. I'd like to know which solution is best to eliminate the statis/whine. Filter on the power to the amp (easy to do) or filter on the RCA amp inputs (must remove panels to access amp)? Thanks. __________________ Vengeance Kaotik Cam, C.A.I., ARH LT, Pypes Cat Back, ZL1 Shifter+2012LS3VERT bushing, Quantum Brake Ducts, JDP Tow Hook Scorch Yellow Trim Kit, Shark Fin, AAC DRLs+ABLs+SMDs, ZTA Rear Spoiler, R.Y. 1LE Splitter. Pfadt coilovers, camber plates, trailing arms, Pegasus Solid Subframe. Pedders ZL1 barz, radius arm & steering rack bushings. BMR adjustable toe-rods. Hotchkis Max Chassis Brace. ZL1 GMPP Driveline Upgrade. TurnOne P/S pump. CTS-V 6 pistons. 447 HP @ 6180 RPM / 418 TQ @ 5100 RPM

07-29-2011, 12:21 PM	#6
Iwantone2 Voice Of The Voiceless Drives: CGM 1SS RS Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: OC Cali Posts: 9,610 View My Garage	Question: How much did you turn up the gain settings on the JL? I know that I had the same problem, but I had my gains turned up quite significantly. I turned the gains down and the static or "hiss", as I liked to call it, went away. __________________

07-29-2011, 01:13 PM	#8
Shu71 Drives: 2011 Camaro RS M6 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 795	Make sure your RCA cables are good ones (twisted pair and well insulated), you do not cross the rca cables with the power wires to the amp and that you ground the amp directly to the battery ground as this is the closest and you know it is well grounded instead of to a trunk body panel which may not give the least resistance ground. With the quality that amp should be I'd error on the install as the cause. If you do all the above and you still have a ground loop whine, then take the amp back because it may have internal issues. The power on and off thump can be normal for some amps. __________________

07-29-2011, 06:05 PM	#9
Avalnch Drives: Rally Yellow Camaro+Avalanche Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,110	Thanks Everyone! I'll have a look at the gain setting. I did play with it, but not a pro and only went by ear to avoid distortion at the higher volume settings. I'll also try the battery -ve terminal to see if this makes a difference, but there is another ground point in the truck that is also directly connected to the battery. The RCA cables are good quality, albiet maybe on the long side. I'm pretty sure I didn't cross the RCA and power cables, but I'd better check. It's been sooo longgg since I've done this car audio stuff, but it's fun to come back to it. ^_^ __________________ Vengeance Kaotik Cam, C.A.I., ARH LT, Pypes Cat Back, ZL1 Shifter+2012LS3VERT bushing, Quantum Brake Ducts, JDP Tow Hook Scorch Yellow Trim Kit, Shark Fin, AAC DRLs+ABLs+SMDs, ZTA Rear Spoiler, R.Y. 1LE Splitter. Pfadt coilovers, camber plates, trailing arms, Pegasus Solid Subframe. Pedders ZL1 barz, radius arm & steering rack bushings. BMR adjustable toe-rods. Hotchkis Max Chassis Brace. ZL1 GMPP Driveline Upgrade. TurnOne P/S pump. CTS-V 6 pistons. 447 HP @ 6180 RPM / 418 TQ @ 5100 RPM

07-28-2011, 09:27 PM	#2
Moriartii Drives: 11 IOM 2SS/RS M6 w/Hurst Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 1,269	The thud is "normal" This is because when the car is turned off the amp still has signal to the remote turn on lead. You can live with this or install a 12v relay. The static makes me think of a ground loop, I am assuming the car is runnnng when this occurs? If so does the static of his pick up when you rev the engine? Cheers K

07-29-2011, 01:06 PM	#7
Nvincent4708 Drives: N/A Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: N/A Posts: 25,856 View My Garage	ground it directly to the battery if you can.. i mean it is in the trunk already haha.

08-14-2011, 05:31 PM	#10
Shu71 Drives: 2011 Camaro RS M6 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 795	Any update? Did you get the hiss resolved? __________________

12-20-2011, 07:28 PM	#11
mattbatt Drives: 2019 SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: CA Posts: 100	From what I have researched, you need to get rid of the 6v floating ground that is in the head unit when you get a new amp. Get a ground loop isolator. __________________ 2011 2SS, RS, stripes, Cold Air Inductions, Stainless Retro Chambered 3", Boston Acoustics with Alpine 2x12" SWR type R Subs, Alpine MRX-M100 1,000 Watt RMS amp, P13W LED Daytime Fog Lights, debadged 2019 SS 1LE, Shock

12-20-2011, 08:55 PM	#12
justa25thTA Drives: 2011 Camaro SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,630	I used the harness and installed the xd400 and had 0 issues. I grounded directly to the negative on the battery. __________________ Yeah, I'll get around to it...